Kickstarter

STORY - The Outliers comic is an action-adventure story that follows a speech-impaired 11 year-old boy living in the Pacific North woods who has a very unusual friendship with an 18 foot tall, hairy woodland giant.

The giant is an "Outlier," a creature living on the periphery of human consciousness - and one day becomes the target of a violent hunt by a mysterious but ruthless scientist. The boy's unique ability to communicate with the giant is discovered, and soon the boy is a subject of pursuit as well.

The boy directs an escape into the mountains and leaves the world of humans behind. The two companions begin an adventure that leads deeper and deeper into the world of the Outliers.

The Outliers was conceived as an ongoing supernatural adventure story, although this book is a stand alone narrative that sets up further adventure and more books.

(Additional preview art here) 

PRODUCTION - Artwork for this book is more than half finished (supported by extensive character sketches and color concept drawings). A Kickstarter grant will put The Outliers into final production mode. The book will be a standard comic book dimension, although with quality paper and printing it will have a more substantial graphic novel feel. The 32 pages printed in two colors on American made, environmentally friendly uncoated paper from the French Paper Company. It will also have a full-color, uncoated heavy-weight, gatefold cover. I plan to produce the books regionally in the Upper Midwest, with the hope of printing at the studio of a local cartoonist/publisher if the schedules allow (updates forthcoming). 

THE INSPIRATION - The Outliers is a pure fantasy that has some direct personal origins. Among my earliest and best memories is time spent at an old quonset hut dollar theater, watching '70s In Search Of Bigfoot type movies with my dad– always keeping my feet up on the seat so as not to be pulled under by a monster. Later as a father of a boy myself, a severe language delay took my family through a series of ASD tests and intensive and effective ECSE programs with him. While contemplating the isolation any child could experience, my mind returned to those thrilling/frightening monsters of my youth, understanding that the mythic beasts represent not only danger, but protection as well. An adventure story emerged, where a young hero might navigate his chalenges between the "real" world and the (sometimes easier) world of monsters.

THANKS - If you are interested in supporting or spread the word to anyone else who might like and support this endeavor, it would be great to have your help!

FURTHER THANKS TO:  Darrell Eager  the legendary Minneapolis based photographer who spent many hours working on this video, (which required his eye and surrealist sensibility from concept to completion). Yuko Shimizu, the illustrator and prolific vision behind DC Vertigo's Unwritten comic covers. Yuko's constructive advise since the very first Outliers concept drawings has been invaluable. CSA Design Co. is the incredibly fertile creative workplace where I spend my days navigating the highs and lows of pop culture. Also to my family - especially my wife who inspires many of my projects (while looking on in mild bemusement), and our son - who is currently this comic book's most, vocal fan!

The Outliers  comic concept art was first exhibited at the Society of Illustrators gallery in NY and their 53rd SI illustration Annual.